Biography
Kyung Wha Chung’s dazzling and probing artistry has made her one of classical music’s most acclaimed performers for more than 30 years. Lauded for her passion, her musicality and the intense excitement that she brings to her performances, Ms. Chung’s uniquely expressive interpretations of the violin literature have established her as an artist of the very highest stature.
Born into a musical family in Korea, Kyung Wha Chung began studying the violin at the age of 6. At New York’s Juilliard School, she studied with the legendary Ivan Galamian and later coached with Joseph Szigeti, who also introduced her to art and literature.
Kyung Wha Chung has appeared regularly as a soloist with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, working with top conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle, André Previn, Bernard Haitink, Riccardo Muti and the late Sir Georg Solti. As a recitalist, Kyung-Wha Chung has collaborated with an extraordinary list of important artists including Radu Lupu, Krystian Zimerman, Peter Frankl and Itamar Golan and as a member of the Chung Trio, with her brother, conductor/pianist Myung-Whun Chung, and her sister, cellist Myung-Wha Chung.
The government of South Korea has awarded Ms. Chung its highest honor, the Medal of Civil Merit. In addition, she has been cited by the Sunday Times of London as one of the most important contributors to British cultural life.
Record collectors for three decades have sought out Kyung Wha Chung’s releases, many of which have attained classic status. An exclusive EMI recording artist since 1988, Kyung Wha Chung has made numerous recordings for Angel/EMI, Deutsche Grammophon, London/Decca and RCA. Her recording of the Strauss and Respighi Sonatas for DG with Krystian Zimerman won a Gramophone Award, as did her EMI Classic recording of Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto and Rhapsodies under Sir Simon Rattle. Her 1972 recording of the Mendelssohn Concerto has been reissued in Decca’s acclaimed “Legends” series.